A preview version of the upcoming Android system is available on some smartphones. Here’s how to take advantage of it.
Google has just released the first beta version of its Android P operating system, which is to succeed the current Android 8 Oreo. This version is offered for Google Pixel smartphones, but also for other models such as the Nokia 7 Plus, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S (which can be purchased from some importers) and the Sony Xperia XZ2 (the full list is on the Google site).
If you have a compatible smartphone, you can install and test Android P. However, the operation requires some expertise and is not recommended on the smartphone you use every day. Indeed, the update can crash and a beta version always presents a certain instability. Here is how to proceed, knowing that we did the test with a Nokia 7 plus and that the procedure may be slightly different with other models.
1 – Download the Android P ROM file
For Nokia, you must register on the manufacturer’s website, then indicate the IMEI number of the phone (to get it, type * # 06 # in the telephony app), as well as the operator to check compatibility.
Once the verification is complete, the site offers to download the beta ROM as a zip file. The installation also requires the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) program which is part of the pack Android SDK Platform Tools. This program allows you to install the ROM from a computer, thanks to the ADB program (we used it under Windows, from the command line).
2 – Prepare the smartphone
You must first activate developer mode. To do this, go to the settings of Androd, then in System and About the phone. Tap 7 times on Build number to activate developer mode. Come back in System and you will see the appearance of a new entry: Developer options.
Tap on this option then activate the switch USB debugging. This mode will allow the sending of commands from the ADB program. Return to the Android home screen and connect the smartphone to the computer using its USB cable.
3 – Install the new ROM
- On the computer, place the ROM zip file (B2N-3050-0-00WW-B01-update.zip for the Nokia 7 plus) in the same directory as the ADB program. Launch a command prompt and go to the ADB directory.
- Type the command adb reboot recovery to restart the smartphone in Recovery mode.
- On the smartphone, press and hold the on / off button and then press the button to increase the volume. A menu then appears on the screen, indicating that the smartphone is in Recovery mode.
- Use the volume keys to select the entry Apply update from ADB and confirm with the on / off button.
- Go back to the computer and type the command adb devices to verify that the smartphone is ready to receive the ROM. Word sideload should then appear in response. Finally type adb sideload B2N-3050-0-00WW-B01-update.zip to start the ROM transfer (the name of the zip file may be different depending on the model).
- When the transfer is complete, select the line Reboot system now in the Recovery mode menu of the smartphone and confirm with the on / off button.
- After restart, Android P is now installed and you can test it.
Beyond the risks of crashes and instability, be aware that some functions, photo for example, provided by the manufacturer of your smartphone will obviously no longer be available. However, it is possible to go back.